MAVS: a new weapon in the fight against viral infections.

In addition to their participation in metabolic processes and control of programmed cell death, the role of mitochondria as a fundamental hub for innate anti-viral immunity is now emerging. The participation of the mitochondrial antiviral signaling protein (MAVS) as a central regulator of a complex signaling cascade, which results in the induction of antiviral and inflammatory responses has been described. A patent based on this role of MAVS is highlighted in this review.